SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXPRESSING AND EVALUATING SIGNED REPUTATION ASSERTIONS

A method for expressing and evaluating signed reputation assertions is disclosed. In one embodiment, a first entity receives a request to generate a signed assertion relating to a piece of content. The first entity generates a reputation statement about a second entity from reputation-forming information (RFI) about the second entity available to the first entity. The first entity then generates a signed assertion from the reputation statement and the piece of content at least in part by binding the piece of content to the reputation statement and signing a portion encompassing at least one of the bound piece of content and the bound reputation statement. The signed assertion is then transmitted to a receiving entity.